LAST UPDATE | 25 Feb 2022
THE ROYAL MOSCOW ballet has said it is not carrying any political message on its current tour of Ireland after The Helix Theatre in Dublin cancelled a performance of Swan Lake this evening “in solidarity” with Ukraine.
In a statement this afternoon, a spokesperson for the ballet company said it is in no way funded or sponsored by the Russian government.
“The Royal Moscow Ballet is a multi-national touring ballet company who have been coming to Ireland annually for over 10 years now and always look forward to their annual tour of Ireland,” the spokesperson said.
“The company is and has always been made up of different nationalities and on the 2022 tour we have Russian nationals, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Uzbekistan nationals, Japanese, Irish and Polish cast and crew, side by side, who have travelled, worked and lived together for years.
We are young artists who just want to perform the art form we love and have done since childhood and bear no political leanings whatsoever and remain united as a group and as friends and wish only to spread the joy of our art form and culture throughout Ireland we have done for the last 10 years.
The spokesperson added, “We hope this email helps to clarify the diversity of our ballet company and that we don’t carry any political message on this tour. We simply dance for peace.”
Members of the company issued a video message this evening saying they have many close friends in the warzone and they “are very worried about them”.
“We’re trying to save world heritage which is outside of politics. United we dance together for peace.”
It follows a decision by The Helix — which is owned by Dublin City University — to cancel a performance of Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.
Customers have been emailed and refunds will be issued “as soon as possible”, the theatre said earlier today.
“The Royal Moscow Ballet has been touring Ireland annually for over 10 years,” the theatre said in a statement.
“The company is made up of many different nationalities — Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Uzbeks, Japanese, Irish and Polish cast and crew, who have travelled, worked and lived together for years.
Statement regarding tonight's performance of Swan Lake by the Royal Moscow Ballet at The Helix. pic.twitter.com/gW3QAhHaQ8
— The Helix (@TheHelixDublin) February 25, 2022
“However, as a result of the truly shocking events that are unfolding in Ukraine, is it crucial that Dublin City University and all civilised countries takes all practical steps to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and send an unambiguous message to the Russian Government that their deplorable actions have consequences that will have an impact across political, economic, sporting and cultural spheres at all levels.”
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